Woman attempts to use pepper spray, robbed at car wash

A woman who attempted to use pepper spray as a defense mechanism Wednesday evening was robbed at a car wash on South Main Street, according to a report from Lexington Police.

BY DARRICK IGNASIAKThe Dispatch

A woman who attempted to use pepper spray as a defense mechanism Wednesday evening was robbed at a car wash on South Main Street, according to a report from Lexington Police.The 45-year-old victim reported at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday that she was robbed at the car wash at 1450 S. Main St. She told police a man approached her asking for a dollar. The woman denied the male and he insisted, the report stated. She reached into her pocket to retrieve her pepper spray. The pepper spray and $40 in cash fell to the ground. Lexington Police Officer C.S. Giordano noted in his report that the suspect grabbed the woman’s right pants pocket, and turned the victim around reaching into her pocket and taking the remaining cash. The report explained the suspect then grabbed the cash on the ground before walking away toward Helen Caple Apartments. The suspect was described as a bald African-American male, between the ages of 38-42 and between 160-170 pounds. He had a scruffy beard wearing a multi-color button-down short-sleeve shirt and dark blue jeans. He ranged in the height of 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall.“It’s still under investigation,” LPD Det. Lt. Michael Hunt said. “We are unsure of a motive in this case other than the robbery with the cash.”Police said the total amount of money stolen was $200. The woman was not injured, and the incident is being investigated as a common law robbery. Hunt said he wasn’t aware of any surveillance video regarding the incident at this time.No suspect had been identified as of late Friday morning. Hunt encourages anyone with information to contact Lexington Area Crimestoppers at 243-2400.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick